Wipe Away The Tears

God tried to rescue Mary from her flood of tears four times, but it took her awhile to understand. And God is still offering those opportunities today.

1. Mary’s first opportunity was the empty tomb. Mary stood weeping outside that tomb, completely unaware that this empty space beside her held the key to her healing and hope. The grave was empty, not because someone took Jesus away, but because he got up and walked out. God had opened the door of that prison and freed Jesus from death. But because of her tears, Mary was unable to recognize the meaning of the empty tomb. It was a gift she was unable to receive at that time.

Many people today are so focused on the pain in their lives, and the sin that they bear, that they fail to see that God has placed opportunities in their pathway to remind them that God wants to wipe away their tears. How many times do people pass by houses of worship like this one which to them seem like empty buildings that have nothing to do with their problems, when in reality these places are God’s gift to them. They can be an oasis in a dry desert.

I’m always amazed when we knock on doors in the neighborhood and an adult says, “Which church?” “Where?” They drive past it every day but don’t see it as a place of comfort and refuge. But I’m also amazed that when the going gets tough, many people do find us. They have heard from someone that this church is willing to help. Not long ago, one such person came for a Sunday service. He was in trouble with the law and his finances were a mess. He didn’t ask for money. But he seemed overjoyed that we were willing to listen to him and to pray with him.

God has placed the church in this city as a witness to his love, just as the empty tomb was there to witness to God’s power. Maybe you haven’t given the church a second thought, but God has put it here for a reason and he wants to get your attention. He wants to wipe away your tears.

2. Mary’s second opportunity was the two angels. Mary stooped to look in and there she saw two messengers of God. When they asked why she was weeping, all she could say was that someone had taken Jesus’ body away. These angels could have provided her with the answer to her dilemma, but she turned away from them.

God sends people into our lives to let us know that he cares. He may bring someone alongside you at work. He may prompt someone to call you. We may not always make the connection, but God tries to get our attention through people who knock on our doors or come into our lives. Some of you have seen angels like that. Others of you have been angels like that. God provides such messengers. He wants to wipe away the tears.

3. Mary’s third opportunity was Jesus himself. Mary turned to the outside and saw someone standing there but she didn’t recognize him. She was so overtaken with her grief and her tears that she could not see clearly who it was. It was only when he spoke her name that she realized it was Jesus. Then she reacted like the little child who clings to the neck of his parent. Mary wanted to reach out to him, to grab hold of him.